Roberto Rivelino believes Thiago Silva would start in the legendary World Cup winning 1970 Brazil team

1970 World Cup winner Roberto Rivelino has insisted that current Brazil captain Thiago Silva would make it into the legendary 1970 team.

The 68-year-old was speaking to Reuters and believes Silva has real quality and would edge out Wilson da Silva Piazza from that team, he said: “If you look at the back, Thiago Silva would get in the 1970 team.

“Piazza was a great player, but he wasn't a central defender, he was adapted from midfield. You can't ignore a player like Thiago Silva. He has real quality.”

Rivelino’s claim comes just a day after the Paris-Saint Germain defender admitted he was nervous about being selected for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad.

The defender was selected by Scolari and confirmed as skipper for this summer’s World Cup earlier this afternoon at a press conference.

These promising comments from a former World Cup winner are only likely to boost Silva’s confidence ahead of the spectacle set to take place in June and July.

The PSG captain will play a key role in trying to help his country fulfill their destiny this summer and he’ll hope to follow in Rivelino’s footsteps.